Lasting machine



Aug. 1, 1944. P. E.'BURBY LASTING MACHINE v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1942 1944. P. E. BURBY LASTING MACHINE Filed Se t. 18, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. E. BURBY LASTING-MACHINE F iled Spt. 1a 1942 Aug. 1, 1944.

Fig 9..

10/ M X 104 mg 0 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.1.

we- I MMF/WJF Aug. 1, 1944. R E; BURBY 2,354,663

LASTING MACHINE Filed Sept; 1 1942 4 SheetS -Sheet 4 I Avg/747%? Patentecl Aug. 1, 1944 LASTING MAOHINE Philip E. Burby,'Bever'ly, Mass., assignor to United --Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flem'ington,-N.. J

a corporation ofNew Jersey Application September 18, 1942, Se'rialNo.-458 ,8 50

35 Claims.

This invention relates to lasting machines, and is herein illustrated as applied to a power-operated toe-lasting machine which, except asv hereinafter noted,'is constructed generally as .dis-

closed in United States Letters .Patent No.

2,160,846, granted on June 6, .1939, on an application of F. C. Eastmansand A. F. Pyms. .It is to be understood, however,.that in various novel aspects the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. p

The machine shown ,in the above-mentioned Letters Patent is provided with wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper heightwise ofa last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, and also with grippers for applying a pull to the toe end of the upper and for controlling it during a portion of the wiping operation of the wipers. It has been proposed heretofore to use in this machine, instead of such grippers, a device having the, function of what is commonly .known as a retarder, the device being arranged to clamp the marginalportion of .the upper outspread on the wipers and to cooperatewith them in applying a pull to the upper While preventing the formation of any objectionable wrinkles in ,the

course of the Wiping .operationf Such .a disclo sure is found in Letters Patent No.,.2,303,3.42, granted on December 1, .1942, on an application of F. C. Eastmans. An ,object of the present invention is to provide improved means for thus controlling the upper in the toe-lasting operation.

When a shoeis presented to a. machine of'the illustrated type it has commonlybeen .lasted,,or at least pulled over and fastened to thetinsole and last, immediately behind its toe portion.

Under these conditions the ,margin of the upper may be readily outspread over the Wipers, around the end and along portions of the .sidesofthe toe, but cannot beso readily outspreadinlocations near the portions which have alreadysbeen lasted or fastened bypulling-over tacks,.especially when the wipers are spaced'a substantial distance heightwise of the last from theied ge of the insole .as they are priorto the wiping ,of the upper heightwise of the last. On the other hand,

it is desirableto apply amore effectivepull tothe upper at and near the. end of the toe: than in locations nearthe previously .lasted orzpulled-over portions. The present invention, in one aspect,

accordingly provides a retarder which is controlled by the shoe in such manner as to .cause it to assume a positioninclined--relatively,to.the shoe bottom for clamping .theupper on the .wip-

.ers first at the end of the toe, and which in. the

toe adjacent to the previously lasted or pulled-- overportions maybe more readily clamped outvvspread on the wipers when thelatter are near the edge of the insole than earlie'rin the upwip- .ing operation, this permits the retarder tobe extended as far as desired along the sides of the toe and. thus to control in a sufiiciently effective mannersubstantially the entire toe portion of the upper, the pullapplied to the upper in the upwipingoperation being especially 'efiective at and nearthe end of ithe toe, asis desirable, and progressively less effective in locations approaching the portions already lasted or pulled over. For the p'urposesin viewthe constructionherein shown comprises a substantially 'U-shaped -retarder supported for tipping'movement about-an .axis extending widthwise of" the shoe and located substantially opposite-the extreme toe end of the shoe bottom,"the ends of the retarder comparativel y remote'from the end of the toe being arranged to be engaged by the shoe to tipitto a position inclined relatively to 'the shoe "bottom as and for the purpose" above described. Aspring againstthe resistance ofwhich the retarder is the location of :the above-mentioned axisythisreverse tipping movement of the-retarder causes it to have an outward Wiping action on the upper atthe end ofthe toe, thus affording better insurance that the upper will'beclamped smoothly on the wi ers.

"The invention furtherjprovidesa novel construction such that the retardermay be readily adjusted for use on shoes of different Widths. In the, construction shown, the retarder comprises a pair of upper-clamping members each arranged toen age the upper alongone side andpart way around the end of .the toe, .the members being adjustable bodily toward or from each other widthwise of the lastand bein So controlled as to tip as a unit about the above-mentionedlaxis. vA..third upper-clamping member is arranged to bridge any space between thepairaofmembers .while maintaining them ,in fixed relation-to ,each

combined efiective on Letters Patent No. 2,160,846 the wipers are closed inwardly about the toe by an operating member Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are views similar to a portion of Fig. 8, showing the parts as they appear 1 at different times in the lasting operation; and

movable lengthwise of the last and acting through comparatively light springs associated respectively with the different wipers to press them against the upper in the upwiping operation, this member being operated through other spring mechanism whereby greater closingforce is applied to the wipers in wiping the upper inwardly over the insole and pressing it against, a lip on the insole. When a retarder'is provided, as herein shown, for clamping the upper on the wipers, the pressure of the retarder on the upper may, if it is great enough, prevent the above-mentioned light springs from pressing the wipers against the upper with suflicient force for the best results in the upwiping operation. In the construction herein shown, therefore, there are provided, in place of each of the light springs used heretofore, a pair of springs of difierent strengths, together with means for selectively rendering one or the other of the springs or both the wiper associated therewith. Accordingly, if the means for controlling the retarder is adjusted, as' it may be by mechanism provided for that purpose, to apply comparatively light or comparatively heavy clamping pressure to the uppera's required by the character, of the upper materials, a corresponding adjustment may be effected to insure that the wipers will be held withthe proper pressure against'the upper in theupwiping operation. It will be understood that with respect'to 'somenovel features of the means thus provided for varying the closing force applied to the wipers the invention is not limited toan organization having a retarder or in which the ,wipers perform an upwipingaswell as an overwiping operation.

The above and other featuresof the invention, including novel means for adjusting the wipers forshoes of different widths and various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a view mainly in'right-hand side elevation, with parts in'section, showing the upper portion of a machine constructed generally as disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters 'Patent No. 2,160,846 but modified for purposes of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional 'view on a largerscale showingmore clearly certain parts shown in "Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a portion of the structure as viewed in the direction ofthe arrow III in Fig; l;

Fig. 4 is a viewpartly'in plan and partly in sectionof the wipers'and their Operating m 'nism'; I I

Fig. '5is a perspective view of certain parts shown inFig. 4; v 1

Fig. 6 is a section onthe line VI-VI of Fig.4;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line VII-V1I of Fig. 4 Fig." 8 is a view partly in right-hand'side ele- Fig. 14 is mainly a plan view of the parts as they appear in Fig. 11.

In view of the disclosure in Letters Patent No. 2,160,846, the present description will be confined to such portions of the machine as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the invention. The shoe, herein shown as one of the welt type, is positioned for the toe-lasting operation by a member 2 (Fig. 8) which engages the bottom'face of the insole and in the operation of the machine on a shoe of that type engagesa'lso the inner face of the lip of the insole around the end and along the sides of the toe.

The member 2 is supported on the lower end of a machine is further provided with wipers l2 which,

as heretofore, are advanced and closed to embrace theupper about the toe end of the last and are swung upwardly to wipe the upper heightwise of the last, after whichthey are further advanced and closed to wipe the marginal portion of the upper inwardly over the feather and against the lip-of the insole, the lip being supported against the inward pressure of the wipers by the member 2; The means for thus operating the wipers will be more particularly hereinafter described.

In the machine herein shown, as in that shown in thepreviously mentionedLetters Patent No.

2,303,342, the grippers used heretoforein a machine of this type for controlling theupper in the toe-lasting operation are dispensed with. In place of such grippers the present invention provides' a retarder l4, constructed as hereinafter described, for clamping the marginal portion of the toe end of the upper on the top faces of the wipers [2 to control the upper in the'course of the wiping movements of the wipers. This retarderis supported, as also hereinafter more particularly described, on the lower end of a bar IB which corresponds to the bar 34 shown in the last-mentioned Letters Patent for controlling a retarder which in that instance was supported independently of the *bar. The bar l fi 'is operated and controlled by mechanism also con$tructed'substantially as disclosed insaid Letters'Patent. This mechanism includes an arm l8 (Fig. 8) 'on which the bar 1'5 is pivotally'mounted substantially midway between its upper and lower ends, the arm l8 being mounted to swing about a rockshaft 20 supported in bearingsin ahead is later moved upwardly to return-the retarder to its initial position. In these movements the bar '16 is further guided and-controlled by an arm 24 whichis pivotally connectedto its upper end and ismounted-for swinging movements on a lug "26 formedon a'plate 28 (Fig.1) which is secured to the head casting22. Integral-w1th the arm I8 is another arm 30'adjustably connected by a spindle 32 to an.arm-34 which is integral with the upper part -36 of a two-part clamp 38 embracing a friction ring tfl on-the rocksh-aft 20, the ring being heldin fixed relation to the rockshaft by "a pin 42 threaded-1n the shaft and extending through a-hole inthe ring. 'The clamp 38 has a lower part 4440011 nected to the upper part 36 by a link' 46.- .Pivotally mounted at one endon theupperpart 36 is-a lever-48 connected midwaybetweenits ends to-the lower part 44 by a link 50. The other end of the lever 48 is connected to theelower end .of

a spring 52 the upper end of whichis connected to one arm of a lever54 (Fig, 3) pivotally mounted at 56 on the plate 28. By swinging this lever the tension of .the spring 52 may be varied, the lever being provided witha spring-controlled pin 58 arranged to enter any one-of a plurality I le 60 in the plate.28 t hold the lever in fij ii teil "position. .It will be evident that the spring 52-tends by its-actionlon thelever 48 and the link 58 to tighten the two-part clamp .58 on the friction ring 4B.and.a1so to turnthe clamp about the axis .of the .rockshaft and thereby to move the bar l6 downwardly. lnitlally, how- "ever, suchturning of the clamp isprevented by 1 62 en a ement of the pm 42 with a shoulder on tl ie lower part 44 of the clamp, as shownin Fig. .8, the bar !-6 andthe retarder being held by the pin inan upraisedposition. It is only,

f re, in response toaturning movement of zfig ijo kshaft 2i]v in .a counterclockwise direction, as theparts are viewed in Fig. 8, that the spring .52 is permitted to. impart downward movementto the bar 3. The rockshaft is automatically con- .-trolled in. the power operation .of the machine haft 20 tted by the cam t turn th rocks I H v lfi i z l i e above-mentioned counterclockw se dneche timing of the movements of the bar is relatively to the movements of the wipers may .be assumed to be thesame as disclosed in Letteis Patent No. 2,303,342 with reference to the bar 34 therein shown, although the mvention is not thus limited. Accordingly, the downward movement of the bar to carry the retarder nto sition for clamping the upper on the wiperstakes ,place prior to the effective upwiping action of the wipers on the toe end of the upper. After the wipers in their upward movementhave arrived in position to clamp the upper agamst the retarder, they cooperate with the retarderas they are moved farther upwardly to apply a pull to the upper as it is being wiped heightwise of the last, the margin of the upper slippingmore or less between the wipers and the retarder. In

this operation the bar I6 is lifted by the pressure of the upper on the retarder, causing the clamp 38 to turn about the friction ring agamstthe resistance of the spring 52, this movement of 575 clamps the upper on the-wipers.

tion and the shoulder 62 away-from the pin 42 than if such an adjustment 3 1 meets the shoulder v.the .clamp: being permitted by a slot 16 provided therein through which the pin- 42 extend'sw It will be evident that in this operation the'fri'tion between the clamp and-the ring 40 supplements --the force ofthe spring-52: in resisting the "up:- wardmovement of the bar l6 and therefore increases the force with which the retarder is pressed on the upper. When the wipers have nearly arrived at the limit of their upwiping movement, as illustrated in Fig. 12; the cam 64 begins to turn the rockshaft 28- in a clockwise direction, causing the ring 40 by frictional engagement Withthe clamp 38 partially to counteract the force of the spring 52 and thus toredu'ce the pressure of the retarder on the-upper, the reduced-pressure'being continued as the Wipers beginto wipe the margin of the upper inwardly. Preferably before thewipers have completed-their inward wiping movements-the pin 42 arrives in position again .toengage theshoulder 62 of the clamp 38 and then acts positively on the clamp to lift the bar It (Fig. 13) and thus to carry the retarder away from the upper.'

Reference has been made to thefact that the arm 38 connected to the bar I8 is adjustably connected by the spindle 32 to the arm 34 of the clamp 38. This spindle is swiveled in a trunnion block .18 pivotally mounted onthe arm-39 and is threaded in a trunnion block'8l3 pivotally mounted on the arm 34. Accordingly, turning of the spindle by means of a hand wheel 82 thereon serves to swing the arms 30 and i8 and thus to lower or raise the bar l8 and the retarder while the clamp 38 is stationary; The purpose and effect of such an adjustment is to varythe length of time inthe lasting operation that the retarder' I 4 If theretarder is adjusted, for example, in a downward direction, it will be moved to a lower position in response to the first turning movement of the rockshaft 2G and will accordingly clamp theupper on the wipers a greater length of time in the upwiping operation. The bar l6, therefore, will be lifted a greater distance in the upwiping operawill be carried farther had not been made. By reason of the greater space thus provided between the shoulder and'the pin, the rockshaft 28 will thereafter havefto move farther in a clockwise direction before'the'pin and accordingly the lifting of the retarder to release the clamping pressure on the upper will take place later in the course of the inward wiping movements of the wipers than if the adjustment had not been madel Conversely, an adjustment of the retarder in an upward direction will serve to reduce the length of time that it is pressed on the upper in both theiu'pwiping and overwiping operations.

The retarder [4 herein shown is 'a substantiall y U-shaped retarder'for clamping the upper around the end and along the sides of the'toe. It includes a pair of upper-clamping members 84 each formed to engage the upper along one side anfd part way around the end of the toe, these two members being adjustable bodily toward or from each other along a rod 86 which is fastenedby in the lower end of the bar 16 and is located substantially opposite the extreme toe end of the shoe-bottom when the'retarder is operating on the upper. The retarderfurther includes .a central upper-clamping member 90 arranged to bridge any space between thefltwo members. at theen'd ofthe toe, the member 90I being provided wi-th' flanges 92 (Fig; 9) whereby it is mounted'on the rod 86.

The'member. '90 overlaps. fiat faces on the members 84 and, ac-

cordingly, the several members are held in fixed relation to one another with, respect to movement about the rod 86, the members being thus movable as a unit in the operation of the machine as .more particularly hereinafter explained. A spring 94 connected to a lug on the member 90 and to a pin 96 on thebarIB tends to swing the retarder in a counterclockwisedirection (Fig. 8)

aboutthe rod 86 and holds it initially in a position determined by engagement of the member 90 with a shoulder 91 on the lower end'of the bar. For adjustingthemembers 84 toward or from each other there are provided. blocks 98 associated respectively with the diiferent members, these blocks being slidingly movable in directions 'widthwise of the shoe in guideways provided by flanges I extending from opposite sides of the bar I6. Mounted to turn in hearings in the bar and in L-shaped members IOI secured to the flanges I00 between the flanges are spindles I02 having threaded portions engaging corresponding screw threads in the blocks 98 and having hand wheels I04 on their outer ends for turning them. Each block 98 carries a springcontrolled latch I06 arranged to extend normally into a groove I08 in the corresponding retarder member 84 but movable to release the member and thus to permit it to be readily detached from the rod 86, so that differently formed retarder members may be conveniently substituted for shoes of different shapes. It will be understood that the latch I06 serves as a connection between the block 98 and the retarder member 84 associated. therewith for adjusting the member in response to turning movement of the corresponding spindle I02. It will be evident that the two retarder members 84 may be adjusted each independently of the other to position them in proper relation to a shoe of a given style and size.

In accordance with one of the objects of the present invention the members 84 herein shown are so shaped and are so adjusted relatively to each other that when the retarder is moved downwardly toward the wipers as hereinbefore described the end portions thereof which are comparatively remote from the end of the toe of the shoe are engaged by the insole, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 14, so that the shoe causes the retarder to tip about the rod 86 against the resistance of the spring 94 into a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom and thus to clamp the upper on the wipers first at the end of the toe where its marginal portion may be readily outspread over the wipers. Thereafter,

"in response to the upwiping movement of the 'wipers the spring 94 serves to tip the retarder reversely about the'rod 86, as permitted by the shoe, until theretarder is in substantially parallel relation to the shoe bottom and thus clamps the upper on the wipers along the sides of the toe as well as at the end of thetoe, as illustrated in Fig. 12. An especially efiective pull, therefore, is applied to the portions of the upper around the end of the toe, as is desirable, and a less effective pull, near the end of the upwiping operation,

in locations at the sides of the toe near the portions which have already been lasted or pulled over, in which locations the margin of the upper cannot be so readily outspread over the wipers until the latter are near the: edge of the insole.

-Itwill be understood that as the wipers wipe the upper inwardly over the insole the retarder is effective to control it all around the toe until it 7 action on the marginal portion of the upper over the wipers at the end of the, toe, as will be evident from a comparison of Figs. 11 and 12. This action of the retarder, which is due to the relation of theaxis of the rod 86 to the upper-engaging portion of. the retarder at the end of the toe, aifords better insurance that the upper will be clamped in a smoothly outspread condition on the wipers.

As disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,160,846, the

. wipers I 2 are mounted on wiper holders I I0 which are supported and guided for swinging or closing movements laterally of the shoe on a wiper carrier I I2 under a cover plate I I4 on the carrier. The wiper carrier is supported for movements to advance and retract the wipers lengthwise of the shoe on a pair of links II6, only one of which is herein shown, pivotally connected at their upper ends to the carrier near the front end of the latter, and also on the upper end of a lever II8 fulcrumed at I20 between its upper and lower ends and operated by a cam (not shown). The links II6 are connected at their lower ends to arms I22 fast on a rockshaft I24 on which also is secured a cam-operated arm I26 for swinging the wiper carrier I I2 upwardly about its connection with the lever I I8 to cause the wipers to wipe the upper heightwise of the last. In time relation to their advancing movements. lengthwise of the shoe by the wiper carrier H2 and in the course of such movements the wipers are closed inward laterally of the shoe, first to engage the upper in the upwiping operation and thereafter to Wipe it inwardly over the insole, by forward rectilinear movement of a slide I28 guided on the wiper carrier 2 and connected to the wiper holders I I0 by means hereinafter described. For operating the slide I28 there is provided a rod I30 the front end of which is connected to the slide as hereinafter described, and mounted on this rod is a sleeve I32 abutting at its front end against a flange I34 on the rod and having threaded thereon nuts I36 which provide an abutment for a washer I38. This washeris engaged by the front ends of two springs I40 and I42, of which the spring I42 is the stronger, the springs abutting respectively at their rear ends against rings I44 and I46. Secured to the ring I44 are a :plurality of pins I48 and secured to the ring I46 are a plurality of pins I50, all these pins extending rearwardly through holes in a flange I52 integral with the sleeve I32 at the rear end of the sleeve. The pins I48 are arranged to aline with holes I54, only one of which is shown, in a disk I56 opposite the rear ends of the pins when the disk and the sleeve I32 are in a certain adjusted relation, and the pins I50 are arranged to aline with other holes (not shown) in th disk when the disk and the sleeve are in another adjusted relation. When the parts are in still another adjusted relation all the pins are out of alinement with the holes in the disk. By forward movement of the disk I56,

therefore, the wiper-closing slide I20 is operated front ends to the bifurcated upper end of an arm I64 of a lbell-crank lever I66 pivotally mounted on the wiper carrier I I2. Another arm I88 of this bell-cranklever is connected by a link I'I0 to an arm I12 fast on a rockshaft I14, and also fast on this rockshaft is a cam-operated arm I 16. It will thus be seen that by movement of the bell-crank lever I66 the disk I56 is moved forwardly and operates through one or the other or both of the springs I 40, I42 to impart: wiper-closing movement to the slide I28, the spring or springs being intended to yield, not in the upwiping operation, but in response to resistance to the closing movements of the wipers in pressing the upper inwardly against the lip of the insole. The adjustment for rendering either or both of the springs effective is made by turning the sleeve I32 and the parts thereon to vary the relation of the pins I48 and I50 to the holes in the disk I56, the latter being held from turning by rolls I18 (Fig. 4) mounted on the pins I69 andsupported in guideways I80 in the wiper carrier IIZ. For thus turning the sleeve I32 there is integral with the'sleeve I58, which interlocks with the sleeve I32, a gear sector I82 engaged by a movable rack bar I84 (Fig; 4). This and other structural details of the wiper-operating means thus far described are more fully'disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent No. 2,160,846.

Wiper-closing force has been transmitted heretofore from an operating member corresponding to the slide I28'to the wiper-holders 0' through comparatively light springs acting to press the wipers yieldingly against the upper in the upwiping operation, and associated with these springs have been parts which limited the yield of the springs and served to transmit force positively from the operating member to the wiper holders when the wipers were thereafter operated with greater force through one or the other or both of the springs I40, I 42 to press the upper against the lip of the insole. 'As'previously explained, the tension of the spring 52 may be varied by adjustment of the lever 54, thereby varying the force with which the upper is clamped'on the wipers by the retarder I4 in accordance with the character of the upper materials. In order that the pressure thus applied to the upper by the retarder may not prevent the wipers from being pressed against the upper with sufficient force in the upwiping operation, the machine herein shown is provided, in further-accordance with the present invention, with mechanisms of such construction for transmitting force from the slide I28 to the differentfwiper holders I I0; respectively, that the closing force applied to the wipers in the upwiping operation may be varied. Each of these mechanisms includes a couplingmember I86 pivotallymounted on the slide I23: and another coupling member I88 pivotally mounted on the corresponding wiper holder I I0, Extending from the member I88 is a stem I90 a portion ofwhich is housed within a sleeve I92 secured-by a pin I94to the other coupling member I 89. This pin extends through a slot I96 in the stem I90 which permits the member I8B-and the sleeve I92'to move rela tively to the member I88 a distance'limited by the pin and slot. Surrounding the sleeve.-l92 are two springs I98 and 290, of which the spring- 200 is the stronger, both springs abutting at one end: against the coupling member I86, The other-end:

end of the sleeve: I92 to limit expansion of. the spring. Formed on the disk 202 are two forwardly extending fingers 206 (Figs. 5 and 7) which, with the parts positioned as shown, are arranged to aline with recesses 208" formed in a ring 2I0 mounted for turning movement on a diametrically enlarged portion of the stem I andabutting against a shoulder 2I2 on the coupling meme: ber I88. The front end of the spring 200,,abutsagainst a disk 2I4'normally'in engagement with aashoulder formed on an enlarged portion- 2I5 of the-sleeve I92, this disk being providedwith two fingers 2") which extend forwardly through openings in the disk 202 and theflange204 to positions substantially contiguous: to the rear face ofthering 2I0. Thisring is provided with recesses 2I8 which, with theparts positioned as shown, are out of alinement-with the fingers 216. It will accordingly be seen that when-forward movement is imparted to=the wiper-closing; slide I28 force will be transmitted-from the coupling. member I86 to the coupling member I88through the spring 2011 alone, since the fingerszilfi will abut against therear'face of the -ring-2I0 while the fingers 206 will enter the recesses 208m the ring and cause the-spring I98: to remain idle. The ring 2I0, however, maybe turned'to-a position'in which the ends of the fingers 206 will abut against it while the fingers 2I6 will aline with the recesses 2I8, in which case'wiper-closing-force will be transmitted through the spring I98 alone, the spring 200 remaining idle. The ring 2I 0=may beturned to still another position in which'both pairs of fingers 206 and 216 will abut against the rear face of the ring, so that force willbe tr,ans-. mitted through both the springs I98 and200;;as may be desirable in operatingon especially-heavy upper materials when the retarder I4 is pressed on the upper with comparatively heavy pressure.- By the construction herein shown the two rings 2 I0 of the spring mechanisms associated'with the different wipers are arranged to be turnedin unison to corresponding adjusted positions vby means of a slide 220 '(Figs. 4 and 6')- movable in directions widthwise of the shoe in aguideway formed in the lower face ofthe cover'plate H4. Formed in this slide are slots 222 intowhich extend pins 224 from-the rings-2l0,' the pins'bein'g. tapered and extending somewhat loosely-into the slots; Former in the. slide 220 also'isa recess 226 (Fig. 6) into which extends a pin 22s formed on a disk 230 which is itself formed-on th'elower end of a shaft 232 mounted to turn in the cover plate II4. Fast on the upper end of this shaft is a crank arm 234 by which the shaft maybe turned to impart the required adjusting move ments to the slide 220. A spring-pressed pin 238 in the crank arm 234, which may be lifted by means of a knob 238 on its upper end; is arranged to enter any one of three recesses 240 in the cover plate II 4 to maintain the rings 2I0 in any one of the three adjusted positions above described. The slots 222 in'the slide 220" extend in such directions that as wiper-closing movements are imparted to the wiper: holders IIO no substantial change occurs in thepositions' of the rings 2| 0 such as to alter materially the relation of their recesses 208 and 2I8 to the "corresponding fingers 200 and 2 I6. It will be understood that after the upwiping operatiomiwhem the wipers are further closed towipe the upper inwardly over the insole and to press it against the lip of the insole, the

pin-and-slot connections I94; I90 between the of the spring I98 abuts against a disk 202 which is normally engaged by a flange 204 on the front coupling members I86 and the sleeves I92 serve to limit the yield of such of the springs I98, 200 as are in use, so that force is transmitted positively from the coupling members I86 to the members I88 when the wipers are forced with heavier pressure against the upper'through one or the other or both ofthe springs I40, I42.

The connection between the wiper-closing slide I28 and the rod I30 which operates the slide is such, in the construction herein shown, that the spring clip 250 on the stem serves to maintain it'in position in its-bearing. Extending through a bore in the stem 248'is arod' 252 the front end of which is rotatably supported in a member 254 having a stem 256 extending downwardly into a hole in the'wiper' carrier II2. Formed in the rod 252 is a keyway 258 into which extends a key 260 carried by the 'stem 248. Fast onthe rod 252 is a knurled hand wheel 252 extending upwardly through a slot 264' in the cover plate I I4.

The rod'252 i's'prevented from moving forward relatively to the wiper carrier I I2 by engagement of the'wheel 262 with the member 254, and it is prevented from moving rearward relatively to the wiper carrier by engagement of the wheel with the cover plate I I4. The wheel has in its periphery a plurality of holes 266 into which a pin may be inserted, if desired, to assist in turning it. It will be understood thatfin response to such turning movement of the wheel 252 the rod I39'1's turned to adjust the slide I28 forwardly or rearwardly, the elongated pinion 246 sliding along the rod'252 and maintaining at all times its engagementwith the pinion 244, and that by such movement of the slide I28 the wipers are adjusted toward or from each other about the axis of their closing movements as required by the width of of the'shoe to be operated upon. I

Themanner of operation of the construction provided for purposes of this invention having already been'fully explained, no further explanation thereof is necessary. i

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and'then inwardly over an insole on the last, and a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at'the end and the sides of the toe, said retarder being arranged to'be tipped by the shoe to a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom for clamping the upper on the wipers first at the end of the toe and thereafter to be tipped reversely to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last to cause it to clamp the upper: on the wipers also at the sides of the toe.

2. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of thelast and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the .wipers at the end and the sides of the toe, portions of said retarder comparatively remote from the end "of the toe being arranged to be controlled by the shoe to tip the retarder to a 74 position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom for clamping the upper on the wipers first at the end of the toe, and means for thereafter tipping the retarder reversely to a position substant ally parallel to the shoe' bottom in the wipin of the upper heightwise of the last to cause it to clamp the upper on the wipers also at the sides of the toe. I

3. Ida lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise ofthe last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at the end and the sides of the toe, a support for said retarder on which it is mounted for tipping movements about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe, portions of the retarder comparatively remote from the end of the toe being arranged to be engaged by the insole to tip the retarder'about said axis to a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom for clamping the upper'on the wipers first at the end of the toe, and a spring for thereafter tipping the retarder reversely to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last to cause it to clamp the upper on the wipers also at the sides of the toe 4. In a. lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a substantially U-shaped retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers around the end and along the sides of the toe, a support for said retarder on which it is mounted for tipping movements about an axis'extending widthwise of the shoe and located substantially opposite the extreme toe end of the shoe bottom, the end portions of'said retarder comparatively remote from the endpof the toe being arranged to be engaged by the shoe to tip the retarder about said axis to a positioninclinedrelatively to the shoe bottom for clamping the upper on the wipers first at'the end of the toe, and a spring for thereafter tipping the retarder reversely to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last to cause it to clamp the upper on the wipers also at the sides of the toe. I

5. In a lasting machine, wipers movable to wipe the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, and a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at the end and the sides of the toe, said retarder being movable heightwise of the last toward the wipers into upper-clamping position and being thereafter reversely movable heightwise of the last in re-- sponse to wiping movement of the wipers in that direction, the retarder being arranged to be tipped by the shoe to a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom as it is thus moved toward the wipers to cause it to clamp the upper first at the end of the toe and thereafter to be tipped reversely to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom in response to the wiping movement of the wipers heightwise of the last.

6. In a lasting machine, wipers movable to wipe the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at the end and the sides of the toe, said retarder being movable heightwise of the last toward the wipers into upper-clamping position and being thereafter reversely movable heightwise of the last in response to wiping movement of the wipers in that direction, portions of the retarder comparatively remote from the end of the toe being arranged to be engaged by the insole to tip the retarder'to a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom as it is thus moved toward the wipers to cause it to clamp theupper first at the end. of the toe, and a spring for tipping the retarder reversely to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom in response to the wiping movement ofthe wipers heightwise of the last;

7. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last'heightwiseof the last and then inwardly'over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the-upper on the wipers at the end and the sides'of the toe, and a support for said retarder movable to carry it bodily heightwise of the last toward the wipers in the course of the operation of' the machine, the retarder being arranged to assume aposition inclined relatively to the shoe bottom for clamping the upper on the Wipers first at the end of the toe and being movable thereafter relatively to said support about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe to a position substantially'parallel to the shoe bottom as the upper is wiped heightwise of the last by the wipers.

' 8. In a lasting machine, wipers movable to wipe the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at the end and the sides of'the toe, a support for said retarder'movable to carry it heightwise of the last toward the wipers'andon which it'is mounted for tipping movements about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe, portions of the retarder being arranged to be engaged by the shoe to tip the retarder about said axis to a position inclined relatively to the shoe bottom as' it is thus moved toward the Wipers to cause it to clamp the upper first at the end of the toe, said support and retarder being reversely movable heightwise of the last in response towiping movement of the wipers in that direction, and a spring for tipping the retarder reversely about said axis bottom as the upper is thus wiped heightwise of the last. I

9. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on" 60.:-

the last, and a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it in thefwiping operation, said retarder being movable about an axis extending widthwise of the last to wipe the upper at the end of the toe outwardly over the Wipers 55.

as the upper is wiped'heightwise' of the last by the wipers.

10. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping thetoe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwiseof the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last; a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers at the end and the sides of the toe, and a support for said retarder on which it is mounted for tipping movement about an. axis extending widthwise of the shoe to a position in- 65';

clined relatively to theshoebottom for clamping the upper on the wipers first at the end ofthe toe and for reverse tipping movement thereafter to a position substantially parallel to the shoe bottom as the upper is wiped heightwise of the 70;

last by the wipers; said axis being so located as to cause the retarder in its reverse tipping movement to wipe the upper at the end of the toe-routwardly over. the wipers.

toe-end portion of an upper on a last: heightwisee of the last and then inwardly over an insole-on: the last; and a retarder-Tor clamping. the; upper on thexwipersatthe end and the sides ofthe- 1 toe,- the retarderrbeing; arranged. to assume a position inclinedv relatively to; the shoe bottom for clamping the upper. onthe wipers: first at the end .of the toe and being movable thereafter about an axis extending widthwise of theshoei to a position; substantially parallel, to the shoe bottom: as the; upper is wiped heightwise of the-last by the: wipers, said; axis being located substantially" oppositethe extreme toe end, of the; shoe; bottom tocause the retarder in its movement toward parallel relation to the shoe bottom to have-an outward Wiping; action on the upper at the end ofthe toe. v a

i 12;. In a-lastingmachinegthe combination with Wipers for wiping; the; toe-end portion-ofan up;- per onia-last into. lastedposition, of a retarder: for clampingtheupper on the wipers to control-1 it in. the wiping operation, said retardercomprising; upper-clamping r-members relatively adjustable bodily widthwise of therlast and each a.r.- ranged to v engage; the, uppers, along one side and partway around theendjof theztoe, means supporting: said members; for tipping movement about an axis extending widthwise. ofthe, last to positions? in-substantiallyparallel: relation to. the wipers'in response to pressureof thezwipersiuponr them, and means constraining saidvmembersito move as aqunittabout said'axisc 13-. In a lasting machine;itheicombinationwithl per, onr. a last into lasted.position,..o a retarder.

for clam-ping the upper, onthe wipersrtocontrol itrin the wiping. operatiomsaid retarder comprising. uppereclamping members. relatively ad.- justable bodily. widthwise of the last, meanssup porting said members for tipping. movement. about an axis extending widthwise of the last, and means for holding, said members infixedv, relation to each. other during any movement to a position substantially parallel to the shoe 41: thereof aboutsa'miaxis" 14. In a lasting machine,thecombination with wipers -for wiping the toe-end portion of an: up; per on a last into lastedposition, of aretarder for clampingthe upper on the wipers to control. it in the wiping operation, said'retarder; including a pair of upper-clamping. members relatively adjustable bodily: widthwise of the last, means, supporting saidmembers for. tippingv movement about an axis extending widthwise. or thelast and another upper-clamping member mounted to tip-with saidpair of members while maintaining them in fixedrelation'to each other andarranged. to bridge any. space betweensaidipair, of members resulting from their relative adjustment.

15. In alastingmachine, the combination with wipers-for wipingithetoe-end portionof an.upper on a last into-lasted position;' of a retarder, for clamping the upper on. the wipers to control it in the wiping operation. said retarder includ-ning a pair of upper-clampingmembers relatively' adjustable bodily widthwise of the last, means, supporting said'members for tipping movement about an axis extending widthwise of the last. a centraluppepclamping member mounted to tip: with said pair of members" and arranged to bridge any space between the latter resulting: rom their relative adjustment; and aspring- 11. In a lasting machine", wipers for wiping th 751 tending to tip'all said members in one direction about-said axis by force applied to said central member.'

16. In a lasting machine;the combination with wipers for-wiping the toe-end portion ofan upper on a last into'lasted position, of a retarder for clamping the upper on thewipers to control itin the wipingoperation, said retarder includ ing a pair of upper-clamping members relatively adjustable rectilinearly widthwise of the lastand each arranged to engage'the upper along 'one side and part way around: the end of the toe and also including'a-nother upper-clamping member arranged to bridge any space between saidfirstnamed members 'at theextreme end of the toe' resulting from their relative adjustment.

1'7. In a' lasting machine,-the combinationwith wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an up with said different members and rotatable thus to adjust "them each independently of the other.

18.- Ina lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it in the wiping operation, a support for said retarder relatively to which it is movable about an axis extending widthwise of the last, the retarder comprising a pair of upper-clamping members adjustable toward or from each other widthwise of the l'ast,fand means on said support for thus adjusting said members, the members being movable s a 'unit about said axisrelatively to said adjusting means.

19, In a lasting machine, the combination with Wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clamping theupper on thewipers to control it in the wiping operation,'a support for said retarder relatively to which it is movable about an axis extending widthwise of the last, the retarder comprising a pair of upper-clamping members adjustable toward or from each other widthwise of the last, and screw-operated blocks on said support members being movable to said blocks. 7

n a lasting machinethe combination with wipers for Wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it in the wiping operation, said retarder comprising a pair of upper-clamping members adjustable toward or from each other widthwise of the last, a support for said members relatively to which they are thus adjustable, and latches for detachably holding the members on said support in adjusted relation. 7

21. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it in' the wipingoper'ation, said retarder comprising a pair of upper-clamping members adjustable toward or from each other widthwise of the last, a support for said members, screw-operated blocks on 'saidsupport for thus adjusting said members,

the end of the toe, and screws associated respectivelyfor thus adjusting said members, the

about said axis relatively andlatches for detachably connecting the members to said blocks.

22.,In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it as it is wiped heightwise of the last, means for adjustably varying the pressure of the retarder on the upper, and means for closing the wipers inwardly about the toe and forhol'ding them pressedyieldingly against the upper while the upper is pressed thereon by the retarder in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, said wiper-closing means being adjustable to vary the force with which the wipers are thus pressed against the upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last. I

23. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper ona last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it as it is wiped heightwise of thelast and inwardly over, the insole, means for I adjustably varying the pressure of the retarder on-the upper, and mechanism for closing the wipers inwardly about the toe to press them yieldingly against the upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last and to wipe the upper thereafter inwardly over the insole; said wiper-closing mechanism including spring means adjustable to vary the closing LfOI'CB 'thus applied to the wipers in thewiping of the upper heightwise of the "last'and additional spring means for thereafterapplying greater force to the wipers in closing them inwardly over the insole.

24. Ina lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upperon a last heightwise ofthe last and then inwardly over an'insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upperon the wipers to control it as it is wiped heightwise of the last, means for adjustably varying the pressure of the retarder on the upper, and means including spring mechanisms associated respectivelywith the different wipers for closing them inwardly about the toe and for holding them pressed yieldingly against theupper inthe wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, said. springmechanisms b'eingeach adjustable to vary the for'ce 'with which the wipers are thus pressed against thev upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.

25; In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers to control it as 'it is wiped heightwise of the last, means for adjustably varying the pressure of the retarder on the upper, an operating member movable lengthwise of the last to close the wipers inwardly about the toe, spring mechanisms fortransmitting closing force from said member respectively to the difierent wipers to press them against'the upper while the upper is pressed'thereon bythe retarder in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, and means for adjusting said spring mechanisms to vary the force thus applied to the'wipers by said operating member. 7

-26. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe e'nd portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then'in'wardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers with variably predetermined force as it is wiped heightwise of the last, a member movable lengthwise of the last to close the wipers inwardly about the toe, spring mechanisms for transmitting closing force from said member respectively to the different wipers to press them against the upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last and for adjustably varying the force thus applied to the wipers, and means including additional spring mechanism for operating said member to close the wipers inwardly over the insole and for adjustably varying the force thus applied to the wipers in that operation.

27. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers with variably predetermined force as it is wiped heightwise of the last, and means including spring mechanisms associated respectively with the different wipers for closing them inwardly about the toe and for holding them pressed yieldingly against the upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, each of said spring mechanisms comprising a pair of springs of different strengths and means adjustable to render one or the other of said springs selectively effective on the wiper associated therewith.

28. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last and then inwardly over an insole on the last, a retarder for clamping the upper on the wipers with variably predetermined force as it is wiped heightwise of the last, and means including spring mechanisms associated respectively with the different wipers for closing them inwardly about the toe and for holding them pressed yieldingly against the upper in the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, each of said spring mechanisms comprising a pair of springs and means adjustable to render one of said springs alone or both springs combined efiective on the wiper associated therewith.

29. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, means including spring mechanisms associated respectively with the difierent wipers for closing them inwardly widthwise of the last, each of said spring mechanisms being adjustable to vary the force applied to the wiper associated therewith, and a device common to both said spring mechanisms for thus adjusting them simultaneously. I

30. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, an operating member movable lengthwise of the last to close the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, spring mechanisms for transmitting closing force from said member respectively to the different wipers, each of said spring mechanisms including an adjusting member mounted for turning movement to vary the force applied by said operating member to the wiper associated therewith, and another member movable widthwise of the last for imparting such turning movements to both said adjusting members simultaneously.

31. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, a member movable lengthwise of the last to close the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, spring mechanisms for transmitting closing force from said member respectively to the difierent wipers, each of said spring mechanisms including a pair of springs of different strengths and an adjusting member movable to render one or the other of said springs selectively effective on the wiper associated therewith, and a device common to said adjusting members for moving them simultaneously.

32. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, a wiper carrier supporting'said wipers and movable to advance them lengthwise of the last in operating on the upper, means supported on said wiper carrier for closing the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, said wiper-closing means including a pair of connected members movable lengthwise of the last relatively to the wiper carrier and operated one by the other thus to close both the wipers, means for thus operating said other member in the course of the wiper-advancing movement of the wiper carrier but independently of that movement, and means wholly supported on said wiper carrier for effecting relative adjustment of said members to adjust the wipers toward or from each other widthwise of the last.

33. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, a wiper carrier supporting said wipers and movable to advance them lengthwise of the last, a member supported on said wiper carrier and rectilinearly movable relatively to the carrier lengthwise of the last to close the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, a rod threaded in said member and movable lengthwise thus to operate the member in the course of the wiper-advancing movement of the wiper carrier but independently of that movement, and means wholly supported by said wiper carrier for turning said rod toadjust said member and thereby to adjust the wipers toward or from each other widthwise of the last.

34. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, a wiper carrier supporting said Wipers and movable to advance them lengthwise of the last, means supported on said wiper carrier for closing the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, said wiper-closing means including a pair of connected members movable lengthwise of the last relativel to the wiper carrier and operated one by the other thus to close both the wipers, said members" being relatively adjustable by rotation of one of them relatively to the other to adjust the wipers toward or fromeach other widthwise of the last, and means including gearing supported on said wiper carrierfor turning said rotatable member.

35. In a lasting machine, wipers for wiping an end portion of an upper on a last into lasted position, a wiper carrier supporting said wipers and movable to advance them lengthwise of the last, said wiper carrier having a cover plate thereon, means supported on said wiper carrier for closing the wipers inwardly widthwise of the last, said wiper-closing means including a pair of connected members movable lengthwise of the last relatively to the wiper carrier and operated one by the other thus to close both the wipers, and means including a rotatable member extending through an opening in said cover plate into position for use by the operator for effecting relative adjustment of said connected members to adjust the wipers toward or from each other widthwise of the last.

PHILIP E. BURBY. 

